Tommy Toy Fund gives out presents, promises brighter Christmas

Hundreds of people in Norwich, Danielson and New London lined up early this morning to get toys for their children from the Tommy Toy Fund.

By Adam Benson and John Penneyabenson@norwichbulletin.com(860) 908-7004

Even before the first bag of gifts was handed out Wednesday to launch The Bulletin's 40th annual Tommy Toy Fund distribution, much had been accomplished in the name of the charity to benefit Eastern Connecticut's needy children.

There was the more than $16,000 donated during boot drives and other events this year. There were the busloads of donated presents that came from fundraisers held by businesses and piles of scarves, mittens and hats knitted by local volunteers, including the Woodstock-based Interfaith Stitchers group.

But when doors opened at 9 a.m. sharp at distribution sites in Danielson, New London and Norwich, all attention turned toward the familiar tradition of brightening Christmas for those struggling to make ends meet on their own.

"There's nothing you can buy that's better than this," said Sue Evarts, a Pawcatuck resident who took time away from her job in Foxwoods Resort Casino's hotel operations division to volunteer at the Gemma Moran United Way Labor/Food Center in New London. "You've got two hands to help, and you should help."

By 11 a.m., New London organizers said they had seen about 200 families.

Ryan Tierney, 15, of Ledyard, said he was eager to be one of the 150 volunteers spread across the region on Wednesday.

"I know kind of what it's like to be underprivileged," Ryan said. "Even though some people feel a little sour, you enjoy knowing that you're the one giving to them and not denying them something."

Outside the Killingly Central Office building on Westfield Avenue in Danielson, more than a dozen residents were in line for toys 30 minutes before the site opened. Less than an hour later, the line had tripled in length.

"We have more than 900 children signed up this year, site coordinator Tammy Bradley said. "I think by the end of the first day last year, there were only 800. So the need is growing, but so is the amount of donations we've gotten."

Norwich residents Corrine Barbosa and Barbara Lamanda were the first to arrive at The Bulletin's 66 Franklin Street offices, the third distribution site. Veteran Tommy Toy Fund recipients, the women said waking up in the pre-dawn hours is worth the payoff of getting a prized haul.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council chairman Rodney Butler visited the Norwich pickup site before traveling to New London. The tribe and employees from its Foxwoods casino volunteered through the United Way.

"I was going to help, but there's 100 volunteers, so I was feeling kind of useless," Butler said jokingly.

He said Mashantucket Pequot tribal officials are happy to participate in initiatives such as the Tommy Toy Fund.

"These little things make a huge difference for the families," he said.

Inside a band room at the former Killingy High School, volunteers navigated around tables stacked with books, dolls, board games and toy trucks. Woodstock resident John Howard inflated footballs destined to be set under Christmas trees this year.